Elevator sequence safety device



Feb. 12, 1924.

N. s. DICKINSON ELEVATOR SEQUENCE SAFETY DEVICE Filed June 18, 1920 IPatented Feb. 12, 1924.

VUNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

NEVILLE S. DICKINSON, OF GLEN RIDGE, NEW'JEBSE,,ASSIGNQ3 EEO-ELEVATORSUP- PLLES COMPANY, INC., A COBPOMTION OF NEW YORK.

ELEVATOR SEQUENCE SAFETY DEVICE.

Application filed June 18, 1920.

and the invention has for its object the provision of a suitablearrangement for con- 1 I character, which is simple in construction,reliable in action, and which may be readily installed without makingany changes in the mechanical construction in the systems to which itmay be applied.

A feature of my invention relates to the provision of means whereby itwill be impossible to start the elevator unless a certain sequence of.i'nauipulation of control is followed, such sequence being first theclosing and. latching of all elevator gates or hatchway doors, andafterwards the manipulation of. an elevator starting mechanism,controller or starting switch.

further feati'lre relates to the provision of means, whereby not only isthe elevator trolling elevators of this neventedfrom moving unless thisorder of manipulation is followed, but also whereby the elevator isprevented from moving under control of the starting switch or mechanismi this is manipulated prior to the closing of the elevator gates eventhough said gate or 2 es are subsequently closed, and until the startingswitch or mechanism is again moved to neutral position.

Another feature of the invention relates to the manner of connecting upmy improved sailety appliance to elevator systems already installed bymerely making suitable changes in the electrical connections.

)ther objects and important features of the invention will becomeapparent from the "following detailed description and claims whenconsidered in connection with the accmnpanving drawing, in which Ihaveshown 1 1v invention in diagrammatic form.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates an elevator starting mechanism,which may be in the form of the usual controlling lever, which whenswung to one position causes the elevator to move upwardly, and whenswung Serial 1T0. 390,048.

to the opposite position causes the elevator to move downwardly.

In the constructions now in common use, the starting switch 1 isdesigned to control the closing of a suitable circuit which willenergize a switch magnet, indicated at 7 in the drawings, which magnetmay be arbitrarily considered as the -up'magnet. Said switch may alsoclose a suitable circuit through a switch magnet 17, which may beconsidered the down magnet.

The manner inwhich the circuit'throngh either up magnet or down magnetis controlled forms an important feature of my present invention andwill be described in detail. In order, however, to make it clear how myimproved safety appliance operates in conjunction with the usualelevator controlling devices, I will describe the usual arrangement ofcircuits whereby the elevator is controlled'to move up or to move down,de pending upon whether the magnet 7 or the magnet 17 isenergized. If itbe assumed that the magnet7 has been energized, and that the contacts 4and13 are moved downwardly to closedposition, then the current will passfrom the point 2, connected to a main feed wire A, to the contact-3,contact 4, contact 5, to the point 6. From 61the current will pass alongthe wires 8 and 9 to the motor. Returning from the motor along-the wire10, the current will flow through the wire 11 to contact 12, throughcontact 13 to contact 14-, through wire 15 and wire 16'to a point 18connected to a second main feed wire B on the opposite side of the line.The motor will then be energized andwill operate to move th elevator up.It is, of course, understood that brake magnets are provided andacceleration magnets, but these and their circuits have not been shownfor the reason that such showing would unduly complicate the drawing,and furthermore these devices are usually found in modern elevatorequipments and form no part of my present invention.

If it be assumed that the starting device 1 has been moved to theopposite position from that previously assumed, and if it also beassumed thatthe magnet 17 has been energized thereby closing theswitches 23 and 27, then the currentwill flow as follows:

Starting at 2, to the point 19, said current will then flow thr gh thewire 20, wire 21 lOS to the contact 22, through switch 23, wire 24, tothe point 25, where it is connected to the wire 11, through which itflows to the wire 10 and to the opposite side of the motor, returningfrom the motor by the wire 9 to flow through the wire 8 to the point 6,whence it tlows to the contact 2-3 through switch 27 to contact 28,through wire 29 to the wire 16, to the point 18 on the other side of theline. The motor will be energized and rotate in the opposite direction,causing the elevator to move downwardly.

In the above description of the circuits, it has been assumed that themagnet T or the magnet 17 was energized. It is one oi the features of myinvention to prevent energization of these magnets even through theswitch 1 is manipulated, if such manipulation is prior to the closing ofthe gate or hatchway contacts, such preventing means remaining effectiveuntil the switch 1 is again moved to neutral position. The circuitincluding the wires 9 and 10 leading to the motor may for convenience bedesignated the elevator operating circuit, because when this circuit issupplied with current, it is possible to move the elevator up or down.

In order to thus control the cnergization of the magnets T and 17, Iprovide a gate circuit which includes a gate contact 30 and a gatecontact 3i connected in series; and while I have shown two gatecontacts, as many more may be provided as desired. Said gate circuitalso includes means for controlling a circuit including the up or downline switch magnets 7 and 17, said controlling means preferably being inthe form of a relay magnet and a relay magnet connected in series withsaid gate contacts. When the gate contacts are closed, therefore,current will pass from the main feed wire A, beginnin at the point iv,through the wire 3%, wire 55, contact 36, switch 37, contact 38, wire39, through the relay 33 to wire l1, through the gate contacts to wireand through the relay 82 to wire a3 and to the other side of the line atthe point V, a suitable fuse ll being interposed in the line. The switch37 is normally closed so that upon closing of the gate contacts currentwill flow through the gate circuit and both relays 32 and 33 will becomeenergized. The core l5 of the relay 32 is connected to a bell-cranklever 4T6, pivoted at the other arm of said lever carrying switches 18,a9 and The lower relay has a core connectec an arm of a bell crank 46pivoted at 45 said bell crank carrying switches 51, 5b and il hen thegate circuit is closed and both relay magnets 32 and 33 are energized,the switches 4-8 and 50 close a circuit, which may include the up magnet7 or the down magnet 17, depending upon whether the switch 1 is thrownto the left or to the right. The circuit thus formed may be convenientlydesignated as the line circuit or control circuit because when it isclosed, it then becomes possible tor the elevator operating circuit tobe closed to cause the elevator to move up or down, according to theposition of the switch 1. The switch 1 is connected by a wire to themain teed wire it, and when said switch is thrown to the leftit closes acontact at if, completing a control circuit including the magnet T andthe switches and ill, said circuit running as follows: from the mainteed wire A, through the wire fi-lswitch 55, magnet T, to the point Z.From the point Z through the wire n, wire ii? to the point 525, fromthis point to the contact 59, through the switch iii to the contact (50,wire ill to the contact- 62, through the swi h 1 8 to contact (33, towire (5&- and through wire l3 to the other side of the line. The up innet then becomes energized and closes the switches -t and 13, and theelevator motor is operated in the usual manner already described. Underthese conditions, with the gate contacts closed, it the switch 1 isthrown to the r it closing the contact (55, current will from the mainteed wire A through the 54 contact (35 and magnet 17 to the once it willi'low as already described to the other side or the line. it will thushe seen that the elevator operating circuit, which is closed by eitherline switch magnet T or line switch magnet 17, depends upon the closingol the control circuit through one or the other lid line switch magnets.Said control circuit, on the other hand, is closed by the relay meansincluded in the gate circuit. The gate circuit must, therefore, beclosed before it is possible to obtain any current through either magnetT or 17. I

With the arrangeinem': oi circuits and controls thus far described, itwould he possible to first close the control circuit by the elevatorstarting switch and afterwards close the gate coi'itacts, and currentwould then be supplied to the control circuit and the elevator circuitwould then he closed.

ln order. llOWBYH', to require the closing of the gate contacts p" ir tothe closing of the starting itch, pri'ivide means whereby the stai mgswitch is rcinlcred inelfcctive to close the control or line switchcircuit through either Magnet 7 or 1?, unl the gate contacts are firstclosed. In order to do this, I provide a separate circuit.

which for convenience I designate the "break circuit: and 1 provide in;in this circuit for breaking the gate circuit. said means prel bly ingoi? magnetic means in the form of a r' ay magnet (56 and a secondsimilar magnet 67. These magnets have a common core 68, which wheneither lit magnet is energized causes the switch 37 to move away from'the contacts 36 and 38, thereby breaking the gate circuit. If the gatecontacts, or any oneof them, are open and the switch 1 is moved to closethe contact at 55, then no current will passthrough the line Switchmagnet 7, because the circuit including said magnet is broken at theswitches 48 and 51. However, with the parts sopositioned, the breakcircuit is completed as follows: i

From the contact to the oint K, through a wire 69 to wire 70, wire 1 tocontact 72, through switch 53 to contact 73, wire 74 to contact 75,switch 50 to contact 76, wire 77, wire 78 to relay 67, through saidrelay to wire 79, wire 80, resistance 81 to the point W on the otherside'of the line. Energization of relay 67will result in opening theswitch 37 which will cause a break in the gate circuit so that even ifall of the gate contacts are then closed, the relay magnets 32 and 33will receive no current and the control circuit will not be completed.The only. way in which the elevator can be started, under the conditionsjust described, is by moving the elevator switch to a position to breakcontact at 55, thereby breaking the circuit through the relay 67,allowing theswitch 37 to again complete the gate circuit. Relays and 33will then be ener ized, and switches 48 and 51 closed.

the elevatorstarting mechanism 1 is moved to the right to close thecontact 55, a circuit from the feed wire A, will pass to the point Y,through wires 82, 83 and 84 to contact 85, switch 52, contact 86, wireto contact 88, throu liswitch 49 to contact 89, to wire 90, to re ay 66,from which it will flow through the wire 91 to the wire 80, and fromthere to the other side of the line.

\Vith any one or more ofthe gate contacts open, the breakcircuitisalways closed atthe switches 49 and 50 and 52- -53. When, however, thegate circuit is closed, thereby energizing relays 32 and 33, theswitches 49,50, and 53, are opened and the switches 48 and 51 closed.

An emergency switch v.92 may be provided if desired, the purpose of thisbeing to close a circuit around the relays 32 and 33 in case it isdesired to move the elevator with one or more of the gates open, as maysometimes be necessary in an emergency. 3 i

In order to install myv improved safety control appliance, it is onlynecessaryto locate the points V, W, X, Y and Z and make the properelectrical connections at these points. Since these pointsare usuallydesignated on a panel board, they are very easy to connect up with. Myimprovement, therefore, lends itself to ready installation.

From the above description, it will be noted that grounding ofthe switchcontact 30 with the line wire B, for instance, would result inpreventing any flow of current through the relay 32. Current, however,flowing through the relay 33 would be ineffective to close the controlcircuit, which would still remain broken at the switch 48. Similargrounding of the contact 31 with the line wire A would cut out the relay33 and no current would be supplied to the control circuit.

WVhile I have shown a preferred form of my invention, it is obvious thatvariations may be resorted to within the spirit thereof and that partsof my improvement may be used Without others.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is: i

1. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit and an elevator starting mechanism controlling saidcircuit, of a gate circuit including gate contacts, means in said gatecircuit actuated on closing thereof for permitting closing of saidoperating circuit by said elevator starting mechanism, and means forbreaking said gate circuit if said elevator starting mechanism ismanipulated prior to closing of said gate contacts.

2. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit and an elevator starting mechanism controlling saidcircuit, of a gate circuit including gate contacts electromagnetic relaymeans in said gate circuit actuated on closing thereof for permittingclosing of said operating circuit by said elevator starting mechanism,and means for breaking said gate circuit if said elevator startingmechanism, is manipulated prior to closing of said gate contacts.

.3. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit and an elevator starting mechanism controlling saidcircuit, of a gate circuit including gate contacts, means in said gatecircuit actuated on closing thereof for permitting closing of saidoperating circuit by said elevator starting mechanism, and a break relayfor opening said gate circuit if said elevator starting mechanism ismanipulated prior to the closing of said gate contacts.

4. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit and an elevator starting mechanism controlling saidcircuit, of a gate circuit including gate contacts, electromagneticrelay means in said gate circuit actuated on closing thereof forpermitting closing of said operating circuit by said elevator startingmechanism, and break relay for opening said gate circuit if saidelevator starting mechanism is manipulated prior to closing of said gatecontacts.

5. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit, a line switch magnet and a starting switch forcontrolling said circuit, of a gate circuit, means actuated on closingsaid gate circuit followed by actuation of said starting switch forclosing a circuit through said line switch magnet, and means forbreaking said gate circuit it said starting switch is first closed.

6. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit, gate contacts, and an elevator starting mechanismincluding an up line switch magnet and a down line switch magnet, bothmagnets controlling said operating circuit, of means for determiningwhether or not said magnet shall control said operating circuit, saidmeans requiring the closing of all gate contacts and manipulation ofsaid elevator starting mechanism, means being provided whereby both lineswitch magnets are rendered ineffective to close said operating circuitit said elevator starting mechanism is manipulated prior to the closingof the gate contacts.

7. In an elevating satety appliance, the combination with an cle *atorstarting switch, gate contacts and an elevator operating circuit, ofrelay means controlled by said switch and in series with said gate coirtacts for determining whether said switch shall control the closing ofsaid operating circuit, a break relay for breaking the circuit throughsaid relay means, the circuit for said break relay being closed by saidelevator starting switch, and means controlled by said break relay forbreaking the gate circuit it said starting switch is closed prior tosaid gate contacts.

8. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit, an up line switch magnet and a down line switchmagnet for controlling said operating circuit, and a starting switch forsaid magnets, ot a gate circuit, means actuated on closing said gatecircuit for permitting said starting switch to nergize either said upmagnet or said down magnet. and means for breaking said gate circuit ifsaid starting switch is first closed, thereby preventing energization ofeither line switch magnet.

9. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit, an up line switch magnet and a down line switchmagnet, and a line switch circuit including said switch magnets inparallel. of a gate circuit including gate contacts, electromagneticrelay means in said gate circuit, and contact means in said line switchcircuit closed by said relay means.

10. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit, an up line switch magnet, a down line switch magnet,and a line switch circuit including said switch magnets in parallel; ofa gate circuit including gate contacts, rclay electromagnetic means insaid gate circuit, contact means in said line switch circuit closed bysaid relay means, and an elevator starting switch for closing said lineswitch circuit through either line switch magnet.

11. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit, an up line switch magnet, a down line switch magnet,and a line switch circuit including said switch magnets in parallel; ofa gate circuit including gate contacts, electromagnetic relay means insaid gate circuit, contact means in said line switch circuit closed bysaid relay means, and an elevator starting switch for closing said lineswitch circuit through either line switch magnet, if said gate contactsare first closed, and means for breaking said gate circuit if saidstarting switch is moved to line switch circuit closing position priorto closing of said gate contacts.

12. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit and a starting switch, of a control circuit for saidoperating circuit, a gate circuit, gate contacts in said gate circuit,switching means in said control circuit normally open, switching meansin said gate circuit normally closed, a break circuit, switching meansin said break circuit normally closed. means operating on closing saidgate con tacts for opening the switching means in said break circuit andclosing the switching means in said control circuit, and means foropening the switching means in said gate circuit if said starting switchis actuated to elevator starting position prior to closing of the gatecontacts.

13. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit and a starting switch, of. a control circuit for saidoperating circuit, a gate circuit, gate contacts in said gate circi'iit,switching means in said control circuit normally open, switching meansin said gate circuit normally closed, a break circuit, switching meansin said break circuit normally closed, electromagnetic relay meansoperating on closing said gate contacts for opening the switching meansin said break circuit and closing the switching means in said controlcircuit. and break relay means for opening the switching means in saidgate circuit if said starting switch is actuated to elevator startingposition prior to closing of the gate contacts.

M. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an ele ateroperating circuit, an up line switch magnet and a down line switchmagnet for closing said circuit, a line switch circuit including saidline switch magnets in parallel and a starting switch for throwingeither magnet in circuit, of a control circuit for said operatingcircuit, a gate circuit, gate contacts in said gate circuit, switchingmeans in said control circuit, normally opened, switching means in saidgate circuit normally closed, a break circuit, switching means in saidbreak circuit normally closed, means operated on closing sai gatecontacts, and throwing said starting switch in either direction, foropening the switching means in said break circuit and closing theswitching means in said control circuit, an electromagnetic break relayin said break circuit energized by throwing said starting switch to oneposition, a second electromagnetic break relay energized by throwingsaid switch to another position, means being provided whereby, wheneither break relay opens the switching means in said gate circuit, thecontrol circuit is broken, thereby preventing said starting switch fromenergizing, either said up switch magnet or said down switch magnet.

15. In an elevator safety appliance, the combination with an elevatoroperating circuit, line wires therefor, a control circuit for saidoperating circuit, and a gate circuit for determining the opening andclosing of said control circuit; of gate contacts in said gate circuitrendered ineffective to close said control circuit if said gate contacts are grounded with one only of either line wire.

Signed at New York city, New York, this 10th da of June, 1920.

KTEVILLE S. DICKINSON.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that the State of incorporation of the assigneein Letters Patent No. 1,483,216, granted February 12, 192-4, upon theapplication of Neville S. Dickinson, of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, for animprovement in Elevator Sequence Safety Devices was erroneously given asNew York, Whereas said State should have been given as New Jersey, asshown by the records of assignments in this oflice; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the'smnemay conform to the record of the case in the Patent ()fiicc.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of April, A. I). 1.924.

[SEAL] KARL FENNING,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that the State of incorporation of the assigneein Letters Patent No. 1,483,216, granted February 12, 1914, upon theapplication of Neville S. Dickinson, of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, for animprovement in Elevator Sequence Safety Devices, was erroneously givenas New York, whereas said State should have been given as New Jersey, asshown by the records of assignments in this office; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the'samemay conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. I

Signed and sealed this 1st day oi? April, A. D. 1924.

we KARL FENNING,

' Acting Commissioner of Patents.

